Electronic smoking apparatus having plasma arc mechanism

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide a portable electronic smoking apparatus (e.g., pipe) that emits a plasma arc powered by a rechargeable battery. The plasma arc heats/burns combustible material held in a removeable pod or chamber and can be drawn through a mouth-piece. The heating element produces a plasma art that is wind resistant and can reach temperatures of over 1000 degrees. In this way, the combustible material is quickly and efficiently heated to produce smoke to be inhaled by the user.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of smoking devices. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to portable electronic smoking devices.

BACKGROUND

Traditional means of inhaling smoke (“smoking”) from cigars, cigarettes, or pipes use an open flame to initially burn or ignite material, typically tobacco or cannabis. Recently, advances in technology have enabled more sophisticated smoking devices that can automatically burn material in a pipe at the press of a button, or by simply drawing air through the pipe. These devices typically use butane as the igniting material or a similar fuel, and are susceptible to wind that can interfere with the lighting process. Moreover, the device's fuel tank must be refilled with additional fuel periodically, and the size of the fuel tank increases the overall size and weight of the smoking device. There are many disadvantages to burning fuel for smoking. Some include the difficulty in lighting and cleaning the pipe and others pertain to the limited locations where smoking can take place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, what is needed is a smoking device that is small and lightweight, resistant to the effects of wind, and can be recharged electrically without requiring additional gas or other fuel for ignition.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a portable electronic smoking apparatus (e.g., pipe) that emits a plasma arc powered by a rechargeable battery. The plasma arc heats/ignites combustible material held in a removeable pod or chamber and the resultant smoke can be drawn through a mouth-piece (“bit”) and enjoyed by a smoker. The heating element produces a plasma arc that is wind resistant and can reach temperatures of over 1000 degrees. In this way, the combustible material is quickly and efficiently heated to the desired temperature to produce smoke for inhalation by the user.

According to one embodiment, a smoking apparatus is disclosed. The smoking apparatus includes a housing, an energy storage device disposed within the housing, a user interface device disposed along the housing, a plasma arc emission burner disposed within the housing and coupled to the energy storage device and to the user interface device, where the plasma arc emission burner is operable to emit a plasma arc responsive to user activation of the user interface device, and a removable assembly including a removable pod and a bit, where the removable assembly is attachable to the housing to bring the pod into contact with the plasma arc emission burner.

According to some embodiments, the energy storage device includes a rechargeable battery and the user interface device is a push button.

According to some embodiments, the removable assembly further includes a filter disposed between the bit and the pod and where the pod is configured to receive an ignitable substance therein, the filter operable to remove toxins from inhaled combusted material.

According to some embodiments, the ignitable substance includes a botanical smoking material.

According to some embodiments, the plasma arc device includes a plurality of electrodes and where the pod is configured to receive an ignitable substance therein, and the pod includes holes for receiving hot air generated by the plurality of electrodes therein when the removable assembly is attached to the housing.

According to some embodiments, responsive to an activation of the user interface device, the electrodes are configured to emit a plasma arc within the pod to ignite the ignitable sub stance.

According to some embodiments, the removable assembly is attachable to the housing using magnetic elements and where the housing further includes an illumination element for indicating a setting.

According to a different embodiment, an electronic smoking pipe is disclosed. The electronic smoking device includes a housing that is cylindrically shaped, a rechargeable battery disposed within the housing, a user interface device disposed along the housing, a plasma arc emission burner disposed at an end of the housing and coupled to the rechargeable battery and to the user interface device, where the plasma arc emission burner is operable to emit a plasma arc responsive to user activation of the user interface device; and a removable assembly including a removable pod, a filter, and a bit, where the removable assembly is attachable to the housing to bring the pod into contact with the plasma arc emission burner.

According to some embodiments, the user interface device is a mechanical push button and further including magnetic elements and the removable assembly is attachable to the housing using the magnetic elements.

According to some embodiments, the pod is configured to receive and contain an ignitable substance therein.

According to some embodiments, the ignitable substance includes one of: tobacco; CBD material; marijuana flower/leaf; marijuana oil; and hemp flower.

According to some embodiments, the plasma arc device includes a plurality of electrodes and the pod includes holes for receiving hot air generated by the plurality of electrodes therein when the removable assembly is attached to the housing.

According to some embodiments, responsive to an activation on the user interface device, the electrodes are configured to emit a plasma arc within the pod to ignite the ignitable sub stance.

According to some embodiments, where the housing further includes a light emitting diode (LED) element for indicating a mode of operation.

According to another embodiment, a method of smoking is disclosed. The method includes placing a pod including an ignitable substance into an assembly including: the pod; a bit; and a filter, attaching the assembly to an end of a housing that is cylindrically shaped, where the housing includes a rechargeable battery, a button, and a plasma arc emission burner disposed at the end of the housing and coupled to the rechargeable battery and to the button, where the plasma arc emission burner is operable to emit a plasma arc within the pod responsive to user activation of the button, and activating the button and contemporaneously drawing smoke from the ignitable substance through the filter and the bit from the pod.

According to some embodiments, the pod is configured to receive and contain the ignitable substance therein and the ignitable substance includes one of: tobacco; CBD material; marijuana leaf; marijuana oil; and hemp flower.

According to some embodiments, the plasma arc device includes a plurality of electrodes and the pod includes holes for receiving hot air generated by the plurality of electrodes therein when the assembly is attached to the housing.

According to some embodiments, responsive to the activating, the electrodes are configured to emit a plasma arc within the pod to ignite the ignitable substance.

According to some embodiments, the housing further includes a light emitting diode (LED) element for indicating a mode of operation.

According to some embodiments, the attaching is performed magnetically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification and in which like numerals depict like elements, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary electronic smoking pipe including a plasma arc emission burner powered by rechargeable battery according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary removeable pod for holding combustible material to be ignited by a plasma arc emission burner according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a diagram of an exemplary pod for holding combustible material for use with an electronic smoking device according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a diagram of an exemplary bit that can be connected to an electronic smoking device for inhaling smoke according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a diagram of an exemplary electronic smoking device including an attached bit for inhaling smoke according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts an electronic smoking pipe without a pod or bit attached according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts an electronic smoking pipe including an extended mouthpiece that allows smoke to cool before reaching the smoker's mouth according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an exemplary sequence of steps for smoking using an electronic smoking device according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary electronic pipe with plasma arc electrodes that are disposed underneath pod without extending into the pod according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary pod for storing combustible material to be heated by a plasma arc produced by electrodes of plasma arc emission device according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary pod for storing combustible material according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments. While the subject matter will be described in conjunction with the alternative embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to these embodiments. On the contrary, the claimed subject matter is intended to cover alternative, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter as defined by the appended claims.

Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with equivalents thereof. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects and features of the subject matter. It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities.

Plasma Arc Electronic Smoking Apparatus

Embodiments of the present invention provide a portable electronic smoking apparatus (e.g., pipe) that emits a plasma arc powered by a rechargeable battery. The plasma arc emitted from a burner heats/burns combustible/ignitable material held in a removeable pod or chamber and can be drawn through a mouth-piece. The heating element (“burner”) emits a plasma arc and is wind resistant and can reach temperatures of over 1000 degrees. In this way, the combustible material of the pipe is quickly and efficiently heated to produce smoke to be inhaled by the smoker.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary electronic smoking device (an “electronic pipe”) 100 including a plasma arc emission device 120 powered by rechargeable battery 130 according to embodiments of the present invention. Pod 105 is used to hold combustible material, such as tobacco or cannabis and can be coupled to housing 135 and mouthpiece (“bit”) 110. According to some embodiments, pod 105 is configured to hold loose materials, such as dried flower/leaves, for combustion. According to another embodiment, pod 105 is configured to hold concentrated forms of cannabis (e.g., a “dab”) for combustion. Pod 105 can also be configured to hold oil or material that may melt and deform when heated, such as wax or hashish. Other examples of materials include CBD oil, hemp flower, synthetic flower/cannabis, etc. According to some embodiments, pod 105 is made substantially of ceramic or other heat-resistant material.

Bit or mouthpiece 110 provides an air gap between the hot air in pod 105 and the mouth of the user so that the air and smoke can cool sufficiently before reaching the smoker's mouth and lungs. Bit 110 and pod 105 can be easily removed, cleaned, and replaced by the user, and different sizes and shapes can be used interchangeably. According to some embodiments, bit 110, pod 105, and the plasma arc heating element 115 (“burner”) are held together magnetically and can be readily removed by applying force to separate the components.

Plasma arc emission device 120 of electronic pipe 100 can be activated using a user interface, such as a physical button 125 located on the side of electronic pipe 100. Button 125 can be pressed multiple times to turn on electronic pipe 100. Once electronic pipe 100 is turned on, plasma arc emission device 120 is activated to burn material in pod 105 whenever button 125 is depressed, and deactivated whenever button 125 is released by the user. The material held in pod 105 is ignited by plasma arc emission device 120 to produce smoke that is drawn through bit 110 by a smoker. Energy storage device 130 can be a lithium-ion battery, for example, and can be recharged using a standard USB or USB-C power cable. The components of electronic pipe 100 are disposed within a plastic or metal housing 135 that is weather resistant to prevent damage to energy storage device 130 and plasma arc emission device 120. Housing 135 can be relatively long and cylindrical in shape so that it can be held and activated conveniently using one hand.

FIG. 2 is a view of an exemplary removeable pod 200 for holding combustible material to be ignited by a plasma arc emission device or “burner” according to embodiments of the present invention. Pod 200 can be inserted into an electronic pipe to smoke the materials stored therein and secured magnetically to the housing. During use, electrodes of the plasma arc emission device (e.g., arc discharge pins or electric arc spray points) or are received by and pass through holes 205. When the electronic pipe is turned on and the plasma arc emission device is activated, the plasma arc ignites the material therein to produce smoke until the plasma arc emission device is deactivated by the smoker (e.g., the user releases a button).

FIG. 3A is a diagram depicting an end 305 (shown without pod housing) of an exemplary electronic smoking device 300 used by a smoker to inhale smoke produced by a plasma arc emission device according to embodiments of the present invention. The end 305 of pod 315 includes holes 310 that allow the smoker's mouths to draw smoke through holes 310 by inhaling with their lips securely pressed to a bit coupled to end 305 (not pictured). End 305 covers pod 315 for holding combustible material to be heated by electronic pipe 300, and a bit or mouthpiece can be attached to pod 315 using magnets, as described below.

FIG. 3B depicts an exemplary removeable bit 350 for inhaling smoke from an electronic smoking device according to embodiments of the present invention. Removeable bit 350 includes a circular magnet 355 that enables the removeable bit 350 to be easily attached and detached from an electronic smoking device. Bit 350 includes small holes for drawing air/smoke from the electronic smoke device into the user's mouth.

FIG. 3C depicts exemplary removeable bit 350 coupled to pod 365 of an exemplary electronic smoking device according to embodiments of the present invention. Removeable bit 350 can be magnetically coupled to an electronic smoking device, for example. Bit 350 can be easily removed to access pod 365 to empty the pod and/or place combustible material in pod 365 to be heated by the plasma arc emission device 360. In the example of FIG. 3C, the pod 365 is covered by a removeable pod housing.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary electronic pipe 400 without a pod or bit attached according to embodiments of the present invention as these devices are removeable. As depicted in FIG. 4 , electrodes 405 of plasma arc emission device 410 produce heat from a constricted arc between elements made of tungsten, for example. The plasma arc emission device 410 is activated by pressing button 415. Light emitting diode (LED) 420 indicates the operating mode of electronic pipe 400, such as the on/off status or other operating information (e.g., temperature). In this configuration (without the bit/pod assembly) the electronic smoking pipe 400 can also be used as a self-defense device or weapon due to the exposed plasma arc burner device.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary electronic pipe 500 including extended mouthpiece 505 (a “bubbler”) that can be filled with water according to embodiments of the present invention. Extended mouthpiece 505 is removeable and can be made from lightweight plastic or borosilicate glass, for example. Using extended mouthpiece 505 allows liquid or air between the heating element (plasma arc) to cool the smoke before reaching the smoker's mouth and lungs. Different sizes and shapes of mouthpieces can be used according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary sequence of steps of a process 600 for smoking using an electronic device having a plasma arc burner. The method may be used to smoke ignitable material that is burned using a plasma arc produced by a portable electronic smoking device, for example.

At step 605, a pod holding an ignitable substance is placed in an assembly for storing combustible material. The assembly can include a pod, a bit, and a filter as described above according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention

At step 610, the assembly is attached to an end of a pipe housing. The pipe housing may have a cylindrically shape. The housing includes a rechargeable battery, a button, and a plasma arc emission device disposed at one end of the housing. According to embodiments, the electrodes of the plasma arc emission device protrude into the pod. According to other embodiments, the electrodes of the plasma arc emission device are disposed approximately 1 mm below the pod.

At step 615, the plasma arc emission device or burner emits a plasma arc within the pod or near the pod (e.g., below the pod) responsive to user activation of the button.

At step 620, the smoker contemporaneously draws smoke from the ignitable substance in the pod through the filter and the bit.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary electronic pipe 700 with plasma arc electrodes that are disposed underneath pod 715 without extending into the pod 715 according to embodiments of the present invention. The ends of electrodes 710 of plasma arc emission device 705 sit approximately 1 mm below the pod to advantageously prevent the combustible material from being scorched due to excessive heat. An air gap exists between the plasma arc emission device and the pod (see FIG. 8 ). The result is a more pleasant taste and smoke flavor. As depicted in FIG. 7 , electrodes 710 of plasma arc emission device 705 produce heat from a constricted arc between elements made of tungsten, for example. The plasma arc emission device 710 is activated by pressing a button, for example. The bit 720 is connected to the electronic pipe 700 magnetically and can be easily removed and replaced.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary pod 715 for storing combustible material to be heated by a plasma arc produced by electrodes 710 of plasma arc emission device 705 according to embodiments of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 8 , the electrodes 710 is approximately 1 mm below pod 715 according to embodiments of the present invention. An air gap exists between the plasma arc emission device 705 and the pod 715 resulting is a more pleasant taste and smoke flavor without burning the combustible material.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary pod 715 for storing combustible material according to embodiments of the present invention. The electrodes of a plasma arc emission device heat the combustible material stored therein using heat from a plasma arc that enters into pod 715 through holes 725.

Embodiments of the present invention are thus described. While the present invention has been described in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A smoking apparatus, said smoking apparatus comprising: a housing; an energy storage device disposed within said housing; a user interface device disposed on said housing; a plasma arc emission device disposed within said housing and coupled to said energy storage device and to said user interface device, wherein said plasma arc emission device is operable to emit a plasma arc responsive to user activation of said user interface device; and a removable assembly comprising a removable pod and a bit, wherein said removable assembly is attachable to said housing to bring said pod proximity to said plasma arc emission device.
 2. The smoking apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said energy storage device comprises a rechargeable battery and wherein further said user interface device comprises a push button.
 3. The smoking apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said removable assembly further comprises a filter disposed between said bit and said pod and wherein said pod is configured to receive and contain an ignitable substance therein, and wherein further said filter is operable to remove toxins from inhaled combusted material.
 4. The smoking apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said plasma arc emission device comprises a plurality of electrodes disposed below the removeable pod.
 5. The smoking apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said plasma arc device comprises a plurality of electrodes and wherein said pod is configured to receive an ignitable substance therein, and wherein further said pod comprises receiving holes for receiving heat generated by said plurality of electrodes when said removable assembly is attached to said housing.
 6. The smoking apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein, responsive to an activation of said user interface device, said electrodes are configured to emit a plasma arc across said plurality of electrodes to provide heat to the pod to ignite said ignitable substance.
 7. The smoking apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said removable assembly is attachable to said housing using magnetic elements and wherein said housing further comprises an illumination element for indicating a setting.
 8. An electronic smoking pipe that is portable, said electronic smoking pipe comprising: a housing that is cylindrically shaped; a rechargeable battery disposed within said housing; a user interface device disposed on said housing; a plasma arc emission burner disposed at an end of said housing and coupled to said rechargeable battery and coupled to said user interface device, wherein said plasma arc emission burner is operable to emit a plasma arc responsive to user activation of said user interface device; and a removable assembly comprising: a removable pod; a filter; and a bit, wherein said pod is disposed proximate to said plasma arc emission burner, and wherein said removable assembly is attachable to said housing.
 9. The electronic smoking pipe as described in claim 8, wherein said user interface device comprises a mechanical push button and further comprising magnetic elements and wherein further said removable assembly is attachable to said housing using said magnetic elements.
 10. The electronic smoking pipe as described in claim 8, wherein said pod is configured to receive and contain an ignitable substance therein.
 11. The electronic smoking pipe as described in claim 10, wherein said ignitable substance comprises one of: tobacco; CBD material; marijuana flower/leaf; marijuana oil; and hemp flower.
 12. The electronic smoking pipe as described in claim 10, wherein said plasma arc burner comprises a plurality of electrodes and wherein further said pod comprises holes for receiving heat generated by said plurality of electrodes therein when said removable assembly is attached to said housing.
 13. The electronic smoking pipe as described in claim 12, wherein responsive to an activation on said user interface device, said electrodes are configured to emit a plasma arc below said pod to ignite said ignitable substance.
 14. The electronic smoking pipe as described in claim 13, wherein said housing further comprises a light emitting diode (LED) element for indicating a mode of operation.
 15. A method of smoking, said method comprising: placing a pod comprising an ignitable substance into an assembly comprising: said pod; a bit; and a filter; attaching said assembly to an end of a housing that is cylindrically shaped, wherein said housing comprises: a rechargeable battery; a button; and a plasma arc emission device disposed at said end of said housing and coupled to said rechargeable battery and to said button, wherein said plasma arc emission device is operable to emit a plasma arc to generate hot air that enters said pod responsive to user activation of said button; and activating said button and contemporaneously drawing smoke from said ignitable substance through said filter and said bit from said pod.
 16. The method of smoking as described in claim 15, wherein said pod is configured to receive and contain said ignitable substance therein and wherein further said ignitable substance comprises one of: tobacco; CBD material; marijuana leaf; marijuana oil; and hemp flower.
 17. The method of smoking as described in claim 15, wherein said plasma arc device comprises a plurality of electrodes and wherein further said pod comprises holes for receiving hot air generated by said plurality of electrodes therein when said assembly is attached to said housing.
 18. The method of smoking as described in claim 17, wherein responsive to said activating, said electrodes are configured to emit a plasma arc to heat said ignitable substance.
 19. The method of smoking as described in claim 15, wherein said housing further comprises a light emitting diode (LED) element for indicating a mode of operation.
 20. The method of smoking as described in claim 15, wherein said attaching is performed magnetically. 